Samuel Goldberg has been a Massachusetts criminal defense attorney for 20 years. Prior to that, he was a New York state prosecutor. He has published various articles regarding the practice of criminal law and frequently provides legal analysis on radio and television, appearing on outlets such as the Fox News Channel, Court TV, MSNBC and The BBC Network. To speak to Sam about a criminal matter call (617) 492 3000.

March 3, 2009

1 in 24 Massachusetts Adults in Prison or on Parole or Probation

According to the Pew Center on the States, Massachusetts is the fifth state in the US with the most adults in jail or prison, on parole, or under probation. The organization’s report found that at the end of 2007, 1 in 24 adults in the state were either under community supervision or behind bars. That’s 206,241 adults.

More of the study’s findings:
• In 2007, some $1.25 billion was spent at the state and federal levels on corrections.
• Massachusetts was the third state with the most number of adults under community service: 1 in 28 adults (179,854 adults under the supervision of probation and parole officer at the federal and state levels).
• Massachusetts spent a dollar on prisons for every four cents it spent on parole.
• With 26,387 adults in jail in 2007 (1 in 90 people), Massachusetts ranked as the 47th state with its number of adults in prison or jail.
• Massachusetts’ Department of Corrections currently runs 18 prisons.
• It’s spending plan for this fiscal year, ending in June, is $543 million.
• The Massachusetts Parole Board’s budget for this year is $19.4 million. The board supervises about 8,000 parolees each year.

All too often in Massachusetts, people are arrested, charged, or convicted of a crime they did not commit or they are treated unfairly by the criminal justice system. While issues of mistaken identity or bad luck may seem like simple problems that can be easily remedied through discourse, this is not always the case when it comes to the Massachusetts criminal justice system.

If you are under investigation, have been arrested, or are charged with a Massachusetts crime or a federal offense, the consequences of the case against you-especially if you are convicted-could negatively affect your relationships, your career, and the rest of your life. For example, a Massachusetts DUI conviction may not only affect affect your auto insurance or your driving record, but it could land you in jail. Also, a conviction for a Massachusetts sex crime will follow you for the rest of your life as a registered sexual offender.

By publishing this information on this Web site, the Boston, Massachusetts law firm of Altman & Altman LLP is not claiming to represent any clients or cases mentioned here. The content provided is designed to inform readers and is not intended as legal advice.